Xiaomi 2018 lineup: which smartphone to choose? full model guide

2018 was a watershed year for Xiaomi, with a record number of smartphones reaching all price segments, from budget devices to flagships with innovative technologies. Today, a few years later, the devices of this line remain relevant for those who are looking for a reliable device at an affordable price or want to get acquainted with the MIUI ecosystem without a large investment. But how not to get confused in the variety of models? In this guide, we will analyze all the key Xiaomi 2018 smartphones, compare them by technical characteristics, identify strengths and weaknesses, and give recommendations on which model to choose depending on your tasks.

The peculiarity of the 2018 lineup is a clear division by series: Redmi for the budget segment, Mi for the medium and premium segment, as well as experimental models like PocoPhone. F1 and Mi Mix 2S. Each series solves its own problems: somewhere the emphasis on performance, somewhere on the camera or design. For example, the Redmi Note 5 is still considered one of the best budget players in terms of price and quality balance, and the Mi 8 is the first Xiaomi smartphone with a high-quality product. 3D-It's a face scanner that's been on par with Apple and Samsung, but it's not all that rosy, because some models are suffering from poor optimization. MIUI Or older processors. Let's get a little bit more into this.

Xiaomi 2018 Series Review: What Are The Different?

In 2018, Xiaomi launched smartphones in four major series, each targeting a different audience, and understanding these differences will help narrow the search:

• 📱 Redmi (Redmi 5/5A/5 Plus, Redmi Note 5/5 Pro, Redmi S2) — Budget and mid-budget devices with an emphasis on autonomy and basic tasks (social networks, calls, photos in daylight). 400/600, Plastic cases, but often with good screens.
• 💎 Mi (Mi 8/8 SE/8 Lite, Mi A2/A2 Lite, Mi Max 3) — It's a mid-range and premium segment. It's metal/glass, Snapdragon processors. 700/800, dual cameras and fast charging support. 8 and Mi Mix 2S Competing with the flagships of Samsung Galaxy S9.
• 🎮 Poco (PocoPhone F1) — A unique Snapdragon 845 for a price below 30,000 ₽, But with a plastic case and a focus on performance, not design.
• 🖥️ Mi Mix (Mi Mix 2S) — "The flagship with a ceramic case, but no jack connector and controversial ergonomics.

It’s important to consider that in 2018 Xiaomi has not yet divided Redmi into a separate brand, so some models (for example, Mi A2) were positioned as “pure Android” devices without MIUI. This could be a plus for those who do not like the branded shell.

Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones 2018: comparison-table

To make it easier to choose, we’ve selected five of the most popular models of 2018 and put their key characteristics into a table. Note the autonomous and camera columns – these are frequent “pain points” for older smartphones.

A critical feature of 2018: most Xiaomi smartphones (except the Mi A2) run MIUI 9/10, which today do not receive security updates. This means data security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues with new applications. If security is critical for you, look for the Mi A2 with support for Android One (updates to Android 10).

Budget Segment: Redmi 5 vs Redmi Note 5 Pro

If your budget is limited to 10,000-15,000 ₽, The choice is likely to be between the Redmi 5 (or the Redmi 5). 5A) Redmi Note 5 Pro: The difference between them is huge, despite the similar names.

Redmi 5 — It's an ultra-budget computer with a Snapdragon processor. 450, 2/3 GB RAM and camera 12 MP: It's only for calls, messengers and simple tasks. 5.7" permittingly 720p It looks so bad and the battery is on. 3300 The mAh requires recharging by the evening, but there's a connector. 3.5 mm and two-handed SIM-map + microSD.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro, by contrast, is the best budget model of 2018 in terms of price/quality. Here is the Snapdragon 636 (which still pulls PUBG Mobile at mid-sets), a dual 12+5 MP camera with portrait mode and a battery of 4000 mAh. The 5.99" screen with FHD+ resolution and an aspect ratio of 18:9 still looks modern. Of the cons - no NFC and an outdated version of Bluetooth 4.2, which can create problems with wireless headphones.

• ✅ Choose the Redmi Note 5 Pro if you want to:
• 📸 You need acceptable photos (daylight, portrait mode).
• 🎮 You play light games (Clash Royale, Brawl Stars).
• 🔋 You need autonomy (2 days of moderate use).
• ❌ You can also opt out of Redmi 5 if you:
• 🐢 You are not ready to put up with the brakes when multitasking.
• 📷 You need night photos (the camera is not good at handling noise).
• 🔄 You plan to use your smartphone for longer than 2-3 years (processor is outdated).

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The Redmi Note 5 Pro is the only budget model of 2018 that can still be recommended for everyday tasks. The remaining models of the Redmi 5 series are inferior to him in all respects.

Middle class: Mi 8 Lite vs Mi A2

In the 15,000-25,000 segment ₽ In 2018, Xiaomi offered two fundamentally different approaches: the Mi 8 Lite with a proprietary shell. MIUI mi A2 The choice between them depends on your priorities.

Mi 8 Lite is built on a Snapdragon processor 660 — same chip as the Mi chip. A2, but added here AMOLED-screen IPS The camera is weaker than the one in the main module. 12+5 MP vs. MP 12+20 MP at Mi A2. Also Mi. 8 Lite suffers from overheating under prolonged loads due to thin body.

The Mi A2, in turn, is the best choice for those who appreciate the upgrades. Thanks to the Android One program, it received updates to Android 10 (while the Mi 8 Lite was stuck on MIUI 12 without security). It also has a better front camera (20 MP vs 24 MP in the Mi 8 Lite, but with better processing), and no 3.5 mm connector – this can be critical for music lovers. The design of the Mi A2 is more restrained: a metal body without Apple borrowing, like the Mi 8 Lite.

⚠️ Warning: Both models have poor autonomy – a 3000-3400 mAh battery is now considered insufficient for active use. If you need a smartphone for a “all day”, consider the Redmi Note 5 Pro or PocoPhone F1.

Battery condition (capacity must be at least 80% of factory capacity)|Performance of all cameras (frequent problem - blurring of the second module)|Original charger (fast charging only works with the home unit)|Screen status (on AMOLED Mi 8 Lite may have broken pixels)-->

Flagships and Experiments: Mi 8 vs Mi Mix 2S vs PocoPhone F1

If the budget is not limited, then in 2018 Xiaomi offered three top devices, each of which was unique:

• 🏆 Mi 8 – classic flagship with Snapdragon 845, 3D-face scanner (analogous to Face) ID Apple, glass case and wireless charging, cons: weak autonomy (3400 mAh) and no connector 3.5 mm.
• 🖥️ Mi Mix 2S — "endless flagship with a ceramic case, camera with optical stabilization and support AI-However, lower-frame design today looks outdated, and the price in the secondary market is often overpriced.
• 🎮 PocoPhone F1 — The most powerful smartphone of 2018 at a price. Here is the same Snapdragon 845 as in the Mi 8, but with a plastic case, a 3.5 mm connector and a battery of 4000 mAh. NFC and a mediocre camera.

For most users, PocoPhone is the best choice. F1. It's cheaper than the Mi 8 and Mi Mix. 2S, But it's not inferior in performance, and thanks to the 4,000 mAh battery and liquid cooling, it's better for gaming. The Mi 8 is only worth considering if you're critically interested in wireless charging or 3D-face scanner. Mi Mix. 2S Today, collectors buy more - its ceramic case is beautiful, but impractical (prone to scratches).

Comparison of the cameras of the flagships of 2018:

What to choose in 2026: are the smartphones Xiaomi 2018 relevant?

6 years after its release, most of the Xiaomi 2018 smartphones are obsolete morally and technically, but some models may still be interesting in three ways:

1. Budget up to 10,000 ₽. Redmi Note 5 Pro or Redmi 6 Pro can be found for 5,000 to 8,000 ₽ They're good for calls, messengers and easy tasks, but don't expect to be very productive in games or modern applications.
2. Backup smartphone. Mi. A2 Mi 8 Lite can be a backup device thanks to the compact size and support of two SIM-Note that the battery is probably worn out - check its condition before buying.
3. Firmware experiments: Many 2018 models, especially the Snapdragon 600/800, support custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which can extend their lives, but require technical skills.

⚠️ WARNING: Buying a Xiaomi 2018 smartphone today is facing three key challenges: 🔋 Degraded battery – even when used carefully, the capacity drops by 30-50% in 5-6 years. 🛡️ Lack of updates – most models don’t get security patches, making them vulnerable to viruses. 📱 Incompatibility with new apps – some games and social networks (such as TikTok or Genshin Impact) may not start.Be sure to check battery status (via #4636## in dialer) and the possibility of installing custom firmware before buying.

If you need a smartphone for everyday use, it’s best to consider newer models (like the Redmi Note 10 or Poco). X3 Pros, which can be found for 15,000–20,000 ₽. Smartphones 2018 will be suitable only for enthusiasts, collectors or those who are looking for the cheapest solution for secondary tasks.

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Before buying, check the IMEI of your smartphone on imei.info to make sure that the device is not blacklisted (stolen/lost).

Where to buy and what to pay attention to?

Xiaomi 2018 smartphones are now sold primarily in the secondary market, and here are the main sites and what to check when buying:

• 🛒 Avito/Yula: Biggest choice, but high risk of running into a "killed" device. Always ask for a photo IMEI (on the sticker under the battery and check the repair history.
• 🌍 AliExpress: Sometimes you come across new (unpacked) devices from old stocks. Pay attention to reviews - often sellers hide that the smartphone is no longer supported.
• 🏬 Local commission shops: You can touch the device before you buy it, but prices are often inflated. Check all sensors (gyroscope, compass, approximations).

Checklist before purchase:

External inspection (scratches, chips, fall marks)|All buttons (especially power and volume buttons)|Survey (broken pixels, yellowness on AMOLED)|Camera performance (whether blurry or artifacts)|Battery charge (should last at least 4-5 hours when used actively)|IMEI (must match the box and sticker under the battery)-->

Cost of models in the secondary market (as of 2026):

• Redmi Note 5 Pro: 5 000–8 000 ₽
• Mi A2: 6 000–10 000 ₽
• PocoPhone F1: 10 000–15 000 ₽ (because of the popularity among gamers)
• Mi 8: 12 000–18 000 ₽ (rarely found in good condition)

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 2018 smartphones